Switching from flag football to tackle football can be a big challenge, but Victor Mancuso and Jayden Kwong have faced it head-on and learned valuable lessons in the process.
Victor started playing football feeling unsure of himself. “Coming into football was an extremely intimidating experience for me,” he remembers. “I didn’t know anyone too closely in the grades above me and was not a particularly large or strong kid.” At 5’3″ and 110 pounds, Victor felt out of place at his first practice, just handing the quarterback the ball and watching others play.
Things improved when Victor began weight training. “I fell in love with it,” he says. “The work we put into ourselves and each other was something I had never experienced in another sport before.” He became stronger in body and mind, learning that football required more than just physical strength—it needed teamwork and trust. “I quickly realized that each player had a similar goal, the gist of which was to better themselves and the people around them.”
Victor’s growth from unsure beginner to key team member led to a standout season. “Now I’m in my sophomore year, having just completed one of Saratoga High’s best football seasons since the ’80s,” he says. “Without a doubt, football is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Jayden Kwong’s transition to tackle football was more gradual. After years of flag football, he understood the game’s basics. “Flag football taught me how to play the game without all of the contact,” Jayden says. “It was a lot of fun and helped me build good fundamentals and camaraderie.” However, moving to tackle football was tough. “Tackle football is way different,” he says. “The transition was rough since I wasn’t used to contact and hitting people.”
Jayden was initially scared but gradually gained confidence in handling the sport’s physical demands. “When I first started playing, I remember being scared to hit,” he shares. “But eventually, you build the confidence and the mentality needed to do it.” His coach was crucial in this transition, especially during hitting drills. “Coach Archie really helped me transition into high school tackle football,” Jayden says. “The pace of the game is a lot faster, and I was able to hone my skills.”
Both Victor and Jayden agree that strength training was key to their success. “The weight room was a big factor and helped me become a better player,” Jayden says. “It’s important to have a good balance of the weight room and field workouts.” Jayden’s skills have paid off, and he now coaches flag football, sharing his knowledge with younger players. “It was a really cool experience and I was happy to be able to share my passion and also coach the game I love.”
For both athletes, football is about more than just physical strength—it’s about building friendships, overcoming fears, and growing together as a team.
